ERSEA: A Deeper Dive is designed to go beyond the basics of Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) in Head Start and identify how Head Start and Early Head Start Managers, Coordinators, Directors, and Family Services staff can utilize ERSEA fundamental knowledge, data, and resources to best support program needs. If your program is considering expanding the use of an eligibility category, increasing or decreasing the number of slots, converting slots, or other scenarios impacting ERSEA, you don’t want to miss this Institute.

The increasing requirements and challenges of ERSEA staff and leadership—Full Enrollment Initiative, Pre-K prioritization, other preschool options—means that basic ERSEA knowledge and skills may not be enough to support program planning and decision-making. This training will build on the fundamentals of the Federal Regulations regarding Eligibility, Selection, Enrollment, Recruitment and Attendance in Head Start/Early Head Start introduced in Finding the Keys to ERSEA presented by WKU T/TAS. It is designed to help staff and leadership develop a better understanding of how to utilize ERSEA data and resources to support effective and innovative program planning. ERSEA: A Deeper Dive supports experienced ERSEA staff and leadership, as well as those who have recently completed the Finding the Keys to ERSEA training. Specific areas addressed include identifying good data, analyzing data to provide a foundation for decision-making, considerations for enrolling families from the 101 to 130 percent of the poverty guidelines, and other considerations supporting program planning.

ERSEA: A Deeper Dive is a full 2-day event for advanced review and discussion of Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance. The training supports effective program planning by further exploring the interplay of data and data analysis in the administration of an effective ERSEA system. This event will also dedicate more time to formative discussion and activities which support program planning and implementation strategies.

The Institute will be delivered in a relaxed, interactive setting combining small and large group activities. Institute participants will receive the Finding the Keys to ERSEA workbook, which includes relevant regulations and other useful resources, as well as handouts supporting the activities and discussions covered in the training.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will expand basic ERSEA knowledge, appropriate for staff experienced with ERSEA and participants of Keys to ERSEA training;

Participants will expand their understanding of the practical application of the Head Start Program Performance Standards: Subpart A – Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance;

Participants will develop a better understanding of the relationship of the Community Needs Assessment and its impact on program planning and strategic planning; and

Participants will enhance their understanding of how ERSEA and data driven decision-making impacts all services areas as they relate to ERSEA.